Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team lost to India National Women’s Cricket team by 10 wickets in the first semi-final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka on Friday. By virtue of yesterday’s victory, India take place in the final.
Chasing Tigresses’ paltry total of 80 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, India reached the winning target just in 11 overs making 83 for the loss of none.
Bangladesh faced disaster as they lost their six wickets for 44 runs.
Second-down Nigar Sultana and sixth-down Shorna Akter fought back scoring together 36 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Nigar Sultana was caught at the long-on by Deepti Sharma off Radha Yadav when the Tigresses score was 80 for the loss of eight wickets.
Nigar Sultana hit a captain’s knock of 32. Her 51-ball innings was ornamented with two fours.
Shorna Akter remained unbeaten with 19 runs. She hit two fours in her 18-ball innings.
Apart from Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter, no Bangladesh batter could reach double digit figures. Opener Deelara Akter, opener Murshida Khatun, one-down Ishma Tanjim, third-down Rumana Ahmed, fourth-down Rabeya Khan, fifth-down Ritu Moni, seventh-down Nahida Akter, eighth-down Marufa Akter scored six, four, eight, one, one, five, zero and naught (not out) respectively.
Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav played the key role to restrict Bangladesh to a meager total.
Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav grabbed three wickets each instead of 10 and 14 runs respectively. Renuka was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Besides, Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastakar took one wicket each for 14 and 25 runs respectively.
Openers Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana put on together 83 runs in the unbroken opening stand.
Mandhana remained unbeaten with 55 runs. She hit nine fours and a sixer in her 39-ball innings.
Shafali remained unbeaten with 26. Her 28-ball innings had two fours. Shafali was dropped on 21 by Nahida Akter off Rabeya Khan.